What does momentary mean?
Momentary means lasting for a very short time. It is used for brief pauses, lapses, sensations, thoughts, and other events that are quickly over, often without suggesting that they are important. For example, a momentary delay can interrupt a process but may soon be forgotten, while a momentary glance is enough to see something but not to examine it closely. The adjective is formal but widely understood in British and American English and is especially useful when describing something that is fleeting rather than permanently present. Its connotations are generally neutral, although it can sometimes imply carelessness or lack of attention, as in “a momentary lapse in judgment.” The related adverb “momentarily” is common in both spoken and written English and can mean either “for a very short time” or, especially in American usage, “very soon.”
adjectiveLasting for only a very short time; brief or fleeting.
- Lasting for only a very short time; brief, fleeting, or temporary.
"There was a momentary hesitation before she answered the question."
"A momentary break in the conversation allowed her to consider her answer."
"The browser displayed a momentary warning before reconnecting to the server."
“Momentary” comes from the same Latin root as “moment”: both ultimately evoke the fleeting nature of time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does momentary come from?
“Momentary” entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin momentarius, meaning “momentary” or “lasting only a moment.” It was formed from momentum, meaning “a moment” or “movement,” from the Latin root mensus, “measured.” The same root appears in related words such as “moment,” “momentum,” “immediate,” and “immense.”
Related word forms
How momentary is actually used
The word is formal and neutral in general use. It often suggests that something lasts only briefly, though it may also imply that the interruption or sensation is slight and quickly passes. “Momently” is now uncommon outside formal or traditional writing.
Easily confused with momentary
“Momentary” describes something that lasts for a very short time, whereas “moment” is the noun referring to a brief period or an individual point in time.